Growing up, my favorite vacation was to Minnesota.  To this day I have no idea why my parents trekked us halfway across the country to visit a state where we had no relatives or connections, but I loved it.  Getting to explore the Mall of America was pretty cool to pre-teen me, but my favorite part was a reconstructed pioneer town.  Think Colonial Williamsburg with a Midwest pioneer twist.  We discovered what their houses, food, and clothing were like while talking with people pretending to be the pioneers of the Midwest.  

If you’re thinking that sounds a whole lot more like history than geography, you’re somewhat right.  They are woven together in the fabric of our world.  Geography and history are like rivers and riverbanks.  The flow of the river shapes the bank, and the shape of the bank directs the river.  The geography of a country builds its history while the events that happen there influence its land and environment.  Field trips open our eyes to these connections.

Ecosystem Field Trips

Why do we learn geography?  Is it simply to learn the names of places and be able to find them on a map? Absolutely not!  The entire point of geography is to help us to know, love, and understand the world around us.  It’s about learning to love the people of the planet and appreciate the beauty of the land.  Take your kids on field trips to help them see just how fascinating their community is.

Landforms

One of the first things we learn about in geography are all the different types of landforms and bodies of water.  Another is how to read a map.  Grab a map of your city (or state, if you can) and see what you have in your area.  Find a few special landforms like waterfalls, mountains, or bays and explore them.  Stroll along a river while talking about the shipping and fishing industries.  Drive through the mountains and discuss if it would have made settling that area a great idea or a big risk.  Brainstorm about how geographic features influence the building of communities.

Parks & Preserves

What state or national parks do you have near you?  Are there any nature preserves or wetlands?  If you’re not sure what there is in your state, check out the National Parks Service or the US Forest Service. These are great sites for information about the ecosystems of your region.  When you visit the parks, talk about why people chose to protect these particular spots, and why societies choose to make parks in general.

Botanical Gardens

When I was five we moved to Hawaii, where we practically lived in a botanical garden. I remember someone teaching us early on to have an aloe plant at home to use in case of sunburns.  My mind filled with wonder the first time I saw soothing gel oozing out of those broken leaves.  Members of our church encircled the building with crimson Ti plants, revered in Hawaii for their protection from evil.

When we moved to Oregon I discovered new plants like green bean bushes and watermelon vines.  Each place we lived brought new garden adventures because our environment and our culture determine what we grow. 

Botanical gardens offer a fantastic chance to see what grows in different parts of the world.  Visit one near you; then learn about the flowers or trees you liked the most to understand why they are so loved by, and useful to, people.

Culture Field Trips

Geography is so much more than just landforms and map-reading. Culture and geography are like coral and algae; they thrive when they exist together and falter when they are separated.  The pioneer town in Minnesota demonstrated how the environment of Minnesota had a huge impact on its culture.  It determined the types of houses people lived in, what food was available to them, and what they needed to wear depending on the season.  At the same time, what was happening in America during pioneer days, like the Homestead Act, forever altered the geography of the American Midwest.  The best way to get a full picture of geography is to dive into the history, the broader culture, as well as the ecosystem of a place.

International Stores

A few years ago my kids and I decided to learn Mandarin.  We needed a reward to encourage us to press on through the hard work. I wanted the culture we studied to be more real, so I planned a field trip to the local Asian grocery store, Uwajimaya.  I saw my kids light up with curiosity and excitement.  They wanted to know what all the different foods were, so they each chose something new to try at home.  Look for international import stores near you.  Wander through the aisles as a family and talk about why different foods are popular in different countries.

Historic Sites

No matter where you’re from, there are going to be some spots nearby that have fascinating history behind them.  My family lives within driving distance of the end of the Oregon Trail.  That is a significant part of US history tied to the geography of Oregon that we can go see with our own eyes.  When we visit Oregon City we can see how the rivers and the lush valley enticed pioneers, forever altering the history of the land.  Take some time to figure out what history is around you, visit those sites, and learn how they are tied to the land and the people of your area.

Museums

These days there are museums for just about everything you can imagine.  You can find institutions and exhibits to teach you about art, history, geology, the Bible, and more.  In Portland we even have a museum dedicated to pinball!  That may not seem like geography at first glance, but art and entertainment are impacted by the environment we live in.  Find a few museums in your area, take some time to wander through the exhibits, and talk about how they relate to the geography of your community.

Infrastructure Field Trips

If you ever travel to the Oregon coast there is one place you absolutely must visit-the Tillamook Cheese Factory.  I remember my first visit a few months after we moved to Oregon.  We learned about the farmers, the cheese-making process, and how the factory supported the local economy. Plus we ate loads of cheese samples.  Visiting a place like the cheese factory shows us how city infrastructure is tied to the ecosystem and resources in our area.

Farms

One of my kids foolishly insists I own too many cookbooks.  She’s clearly wrong because a) I still have two shelves free and b) I have learned so many amazing things from them.  For example, according to Paul Hollywood you can tell what the farmland of an area is like based on what type of fat they use for cooking.  Plenty of grass means fields for dairy cows to graze on and butter for cooking.  In areas where pigs were easier to raise, lard was the cooking fat of choice.  Touring a farm is an amazing geography field trip.  They are the perfect example of how our environment shapes our daily life and our history.  Visit one as a family and interview the farmer about how soil, weather, migration, and the economy all work together to build our country.

Travel Hubs

In Chicago they have the L train.  New York City is known for its subway system.  Puddle jumper flights are essential for the outer Hawaiian islands to connect to Oahu (the most populated island).  No matter where you are, the ways (and needs) for travel are impacted by geography.  Find the travel hubs in your area.  Even in a rural area you might have a train depot or a grain elevator, or be able to drive to a truckstop.  My small town growing up had a municipal airport that served our region.  Choose one to visit and ask questions (both of the staff and yourselves) about why they are in your area and how they helped your city grow.

Industry

Why was Pittsburgh called Steel City?  The convergence of geography and industry.  That part of Pennsylvania has a plentiful supply of coal, an absolute necessity for the steel production process.  It also sits along the intersection of three large rivers, making it a perfect spot for shipping steel to a growing nation.  You’ll find this same story written in the histories of Hawaiian pineapple plantations and Saudi oilfields.  Our industries are indelibly tied to our land and our environment.  Look around your town and your state for factories, industrial plants, or mines that support your community.  Visit on your own or arrange a tour.  Ask questions and learn how your region became the center of whatever you’re known for.

Embrace Field Trips

Remember, art, history, geology, entertainment, and the natural world are part of culture, and culture is at the heart of geography.  Get your kids excited about learning by planning excursions this year.  My adventure in Minnesota is the perfect example of how field trips can open our eyes to new and amazing things and ignite a spark for learning.